Page 5 of Love in Bloom

“Slow down, Camille, and let me answer your questions. First, I’m here on holiday. I’m single. I work at a laboratory that researches the benefits of holistic medicine. I don’t teach at the university. And yes, I did get my scooter, but it only lasted a week before my flatmate demolished it. And no, I’m not a doctor. The most exotic place I’ve been to lately is India.” He leaned back and rested his hands on the table. “Will that satisfy your curiosity for now?” He flashed her a lazy smile. She noticed the sprinkling of freckles across his nose and cheeks, not to mention the muscle tone in his arms.

“For now.”

“Have you ordered?”

“Yes.” She looked glumly at the table.

He leaned forward. “Did they not have what you like?”

She focused on his light brown eyes. Had she ever noticed what color his eyes were before? “Oh, no, they did, but I have to follow a special diet right now, doctor’s orders, and can’t eat the foods I want. It’s all very distressing. In fact, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to eat the things I love.” She frowned at the tablecloth.

“Come now, Camille. It can’t be as bad as all that.”

“Nothing fried or made with cream or made with butter, or fatty. I absolutely adore French pastry, especially the croissants, and I can’t have any of them.” Moisture threatened in her eyes, and irritation with herself flared. Here she was reunited with a handsome old school chum and couldn’t keep herself together. “Pardon me, I’m acting like a ninny, moaning over food. I’m sure that’s not the conversation you were hoping for when you recognized me.”

“Any conversation with you is a good one, Camille.”

The waiter arrived with glasses of cold water and took Tristan’s order.

Camille stared out over the aqua sea and frowned. “I really don’t think I can stand to spend a month here.”

Tristan raised his brows. “Why ever not? It’s warm, relaxing, and beautiful.” He winked at her.

Camille had the distinct impression that Tristan’s reference to beauty was aimed at her. It’d been so long since a man flirted with her she wasn’t sure she remembered what it looked, sounded, or felt like. Connor was right. She needed to get out more and experience life. She shifted in her chair. “I’ve been here a grand total of four days, and I’m ready to tear my hair out. I’m not used to lounging beachside, reading romance novels, and eating boring food. I’m used to taking calls, having meetings, approving marketing schemes, working in the lab on the latest line, going over the profit margins, and brainstorming the next big thing to take the makeup market by storm. I eat whatever sandwiches or takeout my assistant orders. I handed her my list of places and orders when I brought her on. I sleep about four hours a night, six on a good one. I can’t stop my brain from going, so I do my best to keep up with it. I don’t go out. I don’t socialize unless it’s for the benefit of the company.” She bit her lip. Perhaps that last bit of information was too personal. Tristan would know she was a workaholic with no social life. Why couldn’t she ever keep her mouth shut?

He nodded with an understanding expression. “Sounds exhausting and very much like my life.” He glanced at the beach. “Here we are banished from work and bored. How about some exploring?”

She cocked her head to one side. “Exploring?”

“I thought perhaps after lunch you might like to take a stroll into town with me. You are allowed to go for walks?”

“Of course. Exercise is encouraged. Apparently I’ve neglected that over the years too. This morning I did sunrise yoga.” She made a face.

“And hated it.” Tristan laughed.

“That yoga instructor is a tyrant. I can hardly stand it. Stretch this. Hold this pose. Breathe in and out. Inside I’m screaming the whole time. Apparently yoga isn’t my thing. I need something like kickboxing or cardio Pilates where I can work up a sweat. Anything but focusing on clearing my mind. I haven’t been able to clear my mind since I was four.”

Tristan’s laughter continued and infected Camille until she joined him.

Their food arrived, and they tucked in.

“I bet it’s been a long time since you laughed that hard,” Tristan said.

“It has,” she agreed.

“Such a shame, because you have a wonderful laugh, Camille. I’ve always liked it.”

“Thank you.” She felt her cheeks warm.

They chatted idly over university memories.

Tristan placed his napkin on the table. “Are you up for a walk through this charming town?”

“Yes. I need about thirty minutes to shower and dress.”

“I’ll meet you in the lobby?”

“Perfect.”

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